To ensure overall security, maintain law and order, and guarantee smooth traffic management during the upcoming Sharodotsav, a massive Durgapujo coordination meeting was organized in Durgapur. Initiated by the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), this important administrative meeting was held at Durgapur's renowned 'Srijani Auditorium', with representatives from approximately 201 Durgapujo committees of the Durgapur subdivision and adjacent areas participating. With the objective of ensuring public safety during the festival days and making Pujo parikrama (pandal hopping) across the city joyful and smooth, various departments of the police and administration jointly took this initiative.
Present at the coordination meeting were Durgapur West MLA Lakshman Chandra Ghorui, Durgapur East MLA Chandrasekhar Bandyopadhyay, DCP (East) of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, Additional Superintendent of Police, OCs of various police stations, and officials in charge of the traffic department. Top representatives from the Fire Department, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), Durgapur Municipal Corporation (DMC), and the Health Department were also present.
During the days of Durgapujo, a large number of visitors arrive in Durgapur from the city as well as vast adjacent areas of Bankura, Birbhum, and Bardhaman. Consequently, massive crowds overflow at the Pujo pandals and heavy pressure is created on vehicular traffic on the roads. In the meeting, several mandatory guidelines were issued by the police and administration for the clubs and Pujo committees:
1. Security and CCTV Surveillance: Installing adequate CCTV cameras in every major Pujo pandal has been made mandatory. Besides, they have been asked to maintain overall communication with the police control room.
2. Traffic Management and Parking: Specific parking zones have been identified to prevent traffic jams on the main roads of the city. 'No-entry' zones and one-way traffic systems will be operational on important roads. Unnecessary car parking on roads adjacent to pandals will be strictly prohibited.
3. Deployment of Volunteers: Pujo committees have been asked to deploy a sufficient number of male and female volunteers, for whom providing jackets and identity cards is mandatory. The police and volunteers will jointly work to manage the crowds.
4. Fire Safety and Emergency Arrangements: Instructions have been given to follow fire safety measures during pandal construction, keep adequate fire extinguishers, and maintain open emergency exit paths for evacuation during emergencies.
5. Environmental Protection and Legal Rules: Complying with the State Environmental Court's directives, high-decibel DJs or sound systems have been banned, and the use of eco-friendly materials has been encouraged.
The public representatives present at the meeting assured full cooperation to the administration and called upon the Pujo committees to strictly abide by government guidelines. It was announced through the meeting that proper arrangements have also been made so that Pujo committees can quickly obtain clearances for electricity, fire, and police through a Single Window System. Police and administrative officials hope that through this joint initiative and preparation, this year's Durgapujo in Durgapur will be celebrated in a completely peaceful, orderly, and festive environment.
